Clearly, the 49ers and the city of San Francisco will have to increase security for the upcoming games, and this Saturday is another night game at Candlestick.

But other than more uniforms and more private security inside the stadium… what can the 49ers and all sports franchises do to ensure the safety of their fans?

Beyond pat-downs (which they already do), greater shows of force and immediate ejections at the first sign of unruly behavior (which possibly was a very weak point of Saturday’s security)… it’s hard to say how much more can be done.

One thing many have pointed out: The parking lots of these stadiums, not just Candlestick, can become potential danger areas after games and fans stream out of the stadiums in random bunches.

It’s worse at night. There have to be patrols throughout the hour after a game, as fans linger in the lot, possibly either angry about the game or intent to boast about the outcome.

—–the column/

You want the police to be there in force. But you don’t want to need the police to be there, handcuffs out and batons raised high.

You want to believe that sports stadiums and their environs are temporary pockets of sanctuary from the more violent moods of our age.

You want to attend games to be entertained for a few hours, then you want to go home.

You don’t want to conduct constant security checks to make sure you and your loved ones have safe passage, and you don’t want to step through potential crime scenes to do it.

But Saturday night was another stark reminder that sports is no sure escape from acts of violence, and that sometimes it seems that sports can be a central focus of the rampage.

We don’t know what led to the two apparently separate shootings just outside of Candlestick Park in the minutes after the 49ers-Raiders exhibition game or why another man was beaten badly in a restroom during the game.

There is not a lot of sense to be made of this right now. Any possible snap conclusion could be right or wrong, pending further details about the motives, victims and perpetrators.

But I can say that many in the crowd were roiling with angry emotions throughout this game and only got angrier as fights littered the stands.

I can say that surely the fervor was amped up by liquor bought in the stadium, but also that before the game I saw more than a few fans plenty amped up before ever entering.

We can all say that there could have been more of a security presence inside and outside the stadium on Saturday; but we don’t know if any of the bloodshed was entirely preventable without imposing temporary martial law.

And we know that many parents will agree and will decide against bringing their children into such a questionable environment.

The home television environment, we know, is controllable, and it does not usually turn into a crime scene.

We can definitely agree that it’s worth reviewing whether the mix of 49ers and Raiders fans at this annual exhibition game — at night, with many long-term ticket-holders of both teams staying at home — is too combustible to continue.

At the very least, the teams can agree to play the game next year during the day, damn the TV ratings, if they play it at all.

We can wonder whether these incidents throw any kind of barrier in front of the possibility of the Raiders and 49ers sharing a stadium in the future.

But again, let the investigation tell us what really happened.

Violent people do violent things, whether it’s on the street in San Francisco, Oakland, Cupertino, Berkeley or San Jose, or it’s during a football game.

When I walked out of Candlestick at 9:30 — about 90 minutes after the shootings — police vehicles and police officers virtually lined the outer rim of the stadium.

Something bad had clearly happened — several bad things — and very obviously, some of it had spilled over to a spot very near my car in the “A” lot.

That, I learned later, was very near where the critically injured man was found, after driving his car to the entrance of the lot.

Of course, I couldn’t help but think of Bryan Stow, the Giants fan who was beaten into a coma outside Dodger Stadium a few months ago — a game I also attended.

These are two separate incidents, taken anecdotally from a slate of dozens and dozens of sporting events this year that did not include felony assaults.

But the Stow beating served as a kind of flash point in Dodgers history — though Frank McCourt’s sour ownership was already hurtling toward its end days, that incident was a symbol of the disrepair.

The Saturday shootings are different; for one, the Yorks want out of Candlestick and are planning a super-stadium in Santa Clara.

But the 49ers will have to increase security at Candlestick, no question, especially for night games — and the next game is Saturday against Houston, at night.

Every team has to examine its security measures, because the worst betrayal a franchise can make is to risk the physical well-being of its paying customers.

Still, even if Candlestick becomes a fortress, Saturday’s shootings will linger.

If you go, you will check over your shoulder as you walk through the parking lot. You will keep an eye out for unruly behavior near your seat. You will look for police officers.

And when you get home, you will relax and be thankful, and also wonder if it was all worth it.

Tim Kawakami

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I can’t speak for the shootings but my friend was the one beaten in the bathroom. He came to the game with his family, was involved in no previous altercations and there was certainly no gang activity. He simply went to the bathroom, and got jumped upon entering. While he was wearing a Raiders jersey (and I’m a Niners fan), we have no idea why this happened. Bottom line, this was absolutely unnecessary and pathetic. Sports are meant for fun and entertainment. If anyone has any information, please, please come forward.

improvise

2 reasons why I do not / cannot make it out to games:

1. The NFL has priced me out of games.

2. The extreme behavior of other fans.

CW

where exactly was the security/police? those fights were going on for quite some time without any security or police attempting to break them up. there either was a severe lack of security or they were completely inept.

and the parking lots of both at&t and candlestick are a complete joke as far as security is concerned abd they have been that way forever. leave a night game or even a day game early at at&t and walk through the lots its pretty scary when you realize there is zero security almost a crime scene waiting to happen. for the good money they charge to park they could hire a couple chimpanzees to stand around and at least act like they cared.

Lance Newberry

A usual everyone, especially the media, is over-reacting to a terrible but extremely limited occurrence.

It’s always the same; something bad happens because of the actions of a few or a couple of fools and suddenly it’s a HUGE PROBLEM than MUST be dealt with.

Go to many concerts Tim? There are more fights at any county show on the lawn at Shoreline than there were last night.

It’s life. 50,000+ people were at that game last night, and maybe 25 of them were involved in serious issues. That’s a minuscule percentage and not the norm; how are you going to “control” that?

“If you go, you will check over your shoulder as you walk through the parking lot. You will keep an eye out for unruly behavior near your seat. You will look for police officers”

How very dramatic Tim, but no I won’t, and no, not really, and nope; won’t be on my mind at all. And it shouldn’t be on anyone else’s either. There is plenty of security & police presence at the games already. Normal common sense, acting like an adult and not being afraid of every thing every minute is all you need.

I’ve been going to the ‘Stick regularly for 29 years, and for tem years before that occasionally, yet despite occasional violent episodes over the years I’ve never been worried in the least about violence at the games, and I won’t be next week.

How many shootings happened last night in San Francisco? How many fights? How many in San Jose? We all walk the streets where violence occurs. It was terrible that these things happened at the game, but it WAS limited, it was an anomaly, but the media stokes these stories for maximum sensationalism and everyone becomes scared.

Relax everyone, you can come out of your house, the evil hoards are not at your door, the world is not ending. Or you can live in constant fear, because yes bad things DO happen, and they happen everywhere so be afraid, be very afraid.

BTW, those “searches” they do at the gates are a complete waste of time, accomplishing virtually nothing except slowing down the entry flow significantly.

If someone wants to walk in with a weapon they’re going to get it though that search every single time. Give me a knife or a gun and I’ll walk ‘em through those searches 5 – 10 – 25 times, EVERY time.

It’s just another example of putting on a show for the masses and ultimately just wasting everyone’s time so the teams, the league and their lawyers can say, “We did a search! What else could we do?”

And that’s what will happen here. Because of the actions of less than 10 people that are not indicative of how things normally happen at the games there will be more security, more show of force and less overall freedom for 60,000+ people, with no real added safety, just more fear and mistrust.

It’s a crazy world folks, but don’t be afraid. Relax, use your head and come on out and play.

Rick

Sports as journalist so often like to say is a microcosm of society. Bad people go there looking to create the worst problems they can or get into fights. It is not fans of football or teams but problem people who are the core of the situation.

The prices people pay go to games gives them the expectation of safety. This is an NFL problem to do their best to make better. It is also not a problem of what teams play like some journalist have suggestes. I have been to 49ers – Cardinals games and many other games where very violent fights happen. Bathrooms are battle zones. Police tape restricting an are is not an uncommon sight.

Some colunist I have read blame it on the hatred of the 49er – Raider rivalary, to beleive this is the problem is extremely niave. Canceling the game is not the answer. Becoming ostrichs is not the answer.

Security from the parking lots to your seats and back. Zero tolerance for bad behavior is all needed and must be paid by the NFL who can afford it.

Joe

Let’s be honest, Kawakami, you’re completely ignoring the elephant in the room, the Raider fanbase. The answer for every other game is not a heavier police presence. When any other team comes to town, we don’t see these types of incidents. There is no need to increase security when the Texans, or any other team for that matter, come to town, regardless of the fact the game is at night. More security will translate into higher ticket prices as well. Considering this is an isolated problem when, primarily, one team comes to town, we ought to treat it as such.

I am a detective with a local police agency who attended two games last year—against the Eagles and the Buccaneers. My family and I sat in the south end zone. I was absolutely appalled by the fan behavior going on all around us. There were multiple fights, other threats of physical violence, obscenities, throwing objects at other fans…by the time that security made it to the area, the damage was already done. The incidents that occurred this weekend are not isolated, by any means.

One Eagle’s fan was decked out in his team’s gear and just sitting quietly watching the game. Yet HE was the one escorted out by security—for his own safety! HE was not the problem, as he probably paid top dollar to see his team play on the West Coast. It was the gangster, drunken, idiot fans in red all around him that caused the problem.

I feared for the safety of my family for three hours during each game, definitely not enjoying the event that I paid top dollar to see. Combined with the decrepit facility, outrageously expensive concessions, sub-average product on the field, and having to park/tailgate in the mud, tell me where the VALUE is, Mr. York?? If you want value for your entertainment dollar, safety, and a product worth seeing—go to a San Jose Sharks game.

I am a lifelong 49’er fan who has been attending games since 1981. Yet I will not attend any more games until all of the above issues are corrected. If a cop is telling you that he feels unsafe and fears for his family while at your sporting event, Mr. York, you should probably listen.

KGfinfan

RESPONSE TO #4: I also regularly attend metal concerts at Shoreline, Mayhem Festival, Uproar Festival, Projekt Revolution. Concerts at The Warfield in SF, and Catalyst in Santa Cruz…I have NEVER felt unsafe at any of the concerts and have NEVER witnessed the type of behavior that I did at the two games I went to last year. There is a gang problem at the games, the Norteno gangs have identified with the 49er colors for many years and they are buying tickets and going to the games. Don’t ostrich…it has happened to our team and our facility.

My only suggestion is the gate guards have to start having zero tolerance and turn away any ticket holders who are already wasted—before entering the stadium. Then the team/NFL needs to pay for plainclothes security to sit in each section and identify/report the unruly patrons when the security gets to the area—so that they remove the right culprits.

steve

Lance Newberry: Please tell me how many people were shot at the last 50 country concerts at Shoreline.

My son is a New York Giants fan. You think I would take him to candlestick wearing a Giants Jersey to see them play the Niners? It would be a irresponsible parenting move on my part, that is the reality.

MD20/20

I’m a lifelong 49er fan and regularly make it out to over half the games each year and simply put, Raiders-49ers games just aren’t worth risking your life at. I’ve seen it all over the past decade or so from whole sections brawling in the stands to parking lot fights. There is a norteno presence at all games and their are neighborhood presences from the City and other surrounding towns, but most of all its a blind allegiance, more to your City or your side of the Bay, than to your football team. Its a sad but real thing to say that people feel they have a reputation to hold down and a 49ers-Raiders game is a social event as much as it is a football game. Two years ago I almost blew my top and fought with some drunk fans who appoached our tailgate unprovoked and knocked over or bbq. All I can say is I knew Saturday would be problems and I’m happy I made the right decision in not attending.

And btw, the idea that there is more fights at a music concert is a load of crap. 49ers-Raiders games are like walking into a gang meeting you would see in the move “The Warriors” only everyone has made up their mind that there will not be peace!

socalwarrior

Agree with most of the posters here that something has to be done both inside and outside the stadium.

Drunk fans don’t get in.

Zero policy for violence or threats of violence at games. You’re caught fighting, you’re 86’d from the stadium for the season. Happens twice, it’s for life.

Major mobile security outside patrolling all of the lots.

I also do agree that the “Raider Nation” was a huge factor in the violence. It’s not just in SF either. The persona that has been created around this team is one of extreme violence. It makes Al Davis lots of $$, but at what cost? Raider/Charger games are bloodbaths. Raider/Broncos games are brutal.

Ron

I live on the east coast but have been told from folks from the West coast Raider fans have a reputation of violance, so there may be something to the comments they are the common thread here. I have been to Niner games in East coast cities wearing a Niner jersey with absolutely no issues.

Chompov

I have been to soccer games all over the world. The worst crowd behavior I have ever seen was at a Raiders game vs. Miami a few years ago. 100% worse than any European soccer stadium. The reason, they let opposing fans sit together. In Europe away fans are sat together and walked in and out of the stadium as 1 group. And, the atmosphere is way better. You want to clean it up, separate the fans.

Dan

KGfinfan’s idea to have teams pay for a plainclothes officer to sit in every section in the stadium is a GREAT idea. These cops don’t need to intefere with normal partying and people having fun with some good natured trash talk, but when it starts to cross the line into potential violence, the police could snuff things out immediately. The NFL can certainly afford it.

I also agree that the vast majority of fans (Raiders and 49ers) are just out to have a good time and don’t have anything to do with this type of crap. Unfortunately, those few fans looking for trouble are enough of a problem that they disrupt the ability of everyone else to enjoy the game. Jesus, it’s not gang wars.

Go to the games, have drinks, cheer like hell, give the other team’s fans some good-natured ribbing, and go home. There is no need for this type of crap. Nobody is impressed with how tough you are for getting into fights over football games.

Tyrone

The purpose of preseason games is for coaches to evaluate the players on thier roster. It’s time for the owners to stop being so damn greedy and always looking to make a buck and put the fans best insterest at stake. Here are my solutions, play the preseason games at nuetral sites, in non-NFL cities. Stop forcing your season ticket holders to pay for meaningless games. If you insist on playing these games at home then eliminate all alcohol sales especially for games when you are playing a rival. Finally have every fan take a breath analyzer test before entering the stadium. Those that fail the test are not allowed in and combined with no alcohol sales the violence should be reduced by 90%.

Rob

We dont need guns at games, we dont need knifes at games, and we dont need t-shirts that say “F@CK THE NINERS” and we certainly dont need people stupid enough to wear them!! That isnt asking, thats begging for an altercation!! What kind of person wears that?? the type of person that ends up on one side or the other of a gun shot.

Joe

It’s simple. Blanket every inch of every stadium and the parking lots with CCTV. The NFL can certainly afford it. It won’t stop all the violence, but it will cut down on it dramatically.

Obviously security needs to be beefed up. Just don’t hire the BART cops.

9er Faithful

I really think, while it is a problem much of time, it is a HUGE problem in the pre-season. Due to my old work schedule, I could only take my grandpa to pre-season games & then had to purchase from EBay. By doing so we usually got great seats for only $20-25 for BOTH tickets. One year, being able to do a pre-season & then a regular season game I saw a HUGE difference in the crowd. Was kinda scared at the pre-season (against San Diego) game, but felt the total opposite at the regular season game. I think price point makes a difference. If you can get a cheap pre-season ticket there CAN be people buying tix to make trouble.

I don’t want to make any sweeping generalizations, but I think for any teams in the league…this could happen because fans who may be looking for trouble can easily do so because cost isn’t quite as big an issue.

You see it at San Jose Giants games. The free ticket nights have a very different vibe. It’s not team vs team for those games…possibly gang related stuff…but the bleachers can be scary!